Frosh week can be a very rewarding and fun experience, but it can also be a place where rape culture is alive and well. Depending on your comfort level you can choose to ignore or confront these types of situations. Recruit others to help you intervene in any unwanted situation, such as grabbing, touching, or flirting. Calmly speak up and let the person know that you do not tolerate their behaviour, no matter what their intention is. Report this behaviour to the people organizing and running Frosh week events, as all Frosh participants must follow proper policies and codes of conduct in order to continue to participate in campus activities.

Among rape victims, the perpetrators are most likely to be
acquaintances.acquaintances.

Plan the night out ahead of time with your friends and check-in with each other often. Check with friends to see if they're okay and if they are aware of what is happening - a person can't consent when they're intoxicated. Let the stranger know that you will help your friend get home. When you're out with others, it's a good idea to discuss beforehand if you want to hook-up that evening, and be sure to look after each other throughout the night.

4 OUT OF 5 WOMEN4 OUT OF 5 WOMEN
in university report unwanted sexual advances from a romantic partner.

If someone is upset, ask if they're okay. A person who has been sexually assaulted may not want to disclose this information right away. Don't make any assumptions regarding what they're feeling or what happened to them. Ask your roommate if they need anything, and no matter what tell them you believe them. Give them some space and time. Connect them to helpful resources like the RISE app, they can then take advantage of them when and if they feel up to it. Also, remember that people are more likely to process their experiences at their own pace. If your roommate waits awhile to tell you, it doesn't mean that it never happened.

Approximately 80%Approximately 80%
of sexual violence occurs by someone you know. This can be a friend, a coworker, classmate, or even a family member.

Professors hold a position of power over students and this type of behaviour is not acceptable. Most university and colleges have policies, codes of conduct and protocols surrounding the issue of sexual harassment and assault. If you feel comfortable, try talking to the professor privately and voice your concerns, or take your own actions. You may choose to file a complaint, but be sure to understand your rights and confidentiality laws. Your school should provide you with resources as to where to go and discuss situations in private. Remember that you have the right to expect your school to investigate what happened and to take prompt action to address the situation. If you're not sure if someone can maintain your confidentiality, ask before talking to them.

Male college students
typically miscalculatetypically miscalculate
how uncomfortable their peers are in regarding sexist behaviour

There are direct and indirect ways to deal with this type of situation. It's important to let the person know that what they are saying is inappropriate and unwanted. If you feel comfortable, you can confront this person and reverse the power or you can choose to report it to your professor who can address it in the classroom more generally.

Women report experiencing incidents of
SEXISM ON AWEEKLY BASISSEXISM ON A WEEKLY BASIS
that consist of degrading comments and sexual objectification, affecting their psychological well-being.

Many people face numerous unwanted comments, unwarranted sexual attention and misplaced, demeaning words and actions towards them. As a bystander, it's important to challenge these misconceptions and myths by letting this person know that this behaviour is not okay. Sexual harassment and unwanted attention are not compliments. If you don't feel safe enough to challenge this person directly, intervene by disrupting their behavior, and divert the conversation by introducing an unrelated topic - this provides an ‘out’ and can diffuse confrontation.

OVER HALFOVER HALF
of sexual assaults of postsecondary students involve alcohol or drugs

If you see someone who is passed out at a party or the bar it is important to check-in with them to see if they're okay. Alert their friends and let them know what is going on. Just because someone is wearing revealing clothing doesn't mean they deserve to be disrespected and taken advantage of. This type of behaviour is called ‘slut shaming’. Every person has the right to wear what they want and choose their own sexual partners. The idea that someone ‘asked for it’ because of their choices blames the victim instead of the perpetrator.

Young adults often do not fully understand
WHAT CONSENT MEANS.WHAT CONSENT MEANS.
They feel that the difference between consensual sexual acts and sexual assault can be unclear.

Consent is not a ‘grey area’. It's important to understand it's meaning and to continuously check-in with your partners. Just because someone consents to one type of sexual activity, does not mean consent is unlimited. If someone believes it was mutual, it does not necessarily mean that it was. In this situation, it is important to support your roommate and take their lead on how to move forward. Your friend needs to know that this situation was not mutual and about what consent really means. Lastly, if a person discloses sexual assault to you, it is important to believe them. A person who has experienced sexual violence must feel safe and validated, as survivors often deal with internalized blame, guilt, and shame.

MYTHS ABOUT RAPEMYTHS ABOUT RAPE
and a lack of understanding about what sexual violence includes can prevent young people from stepping in when they observe behaviours that could lead to sexual assault.

Check-in with your roomie and give them the opportunity to escape any uncomfortable situation. If you're worried, checking in lets them know that you have their back. You can intervene by voicing your concerns about the situation to someone observing and recruit their help. Try creating a distraction to de-escalate the situation. Try telling your roommate that you need to talk to them, call/text if you know one of them, or interrupt and ask a question. If you feel uncomfortable with this you can always get the bartender, bouncer, or someone else involved.

Males can also be the victims of sexual violence.
12% OF POLICE-REPORTED12% OF POLICE-REPORTED
sexual assaults in Canada are against men.

-McDonald and Tijerino (2013) MALE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND ASSAULT: THEIR EXPERIENCES,Department of Justice Canada.

HOW TO HELP

If you witness someone who is upset it is important to check-in with that person and see if they're okay. A person who has just been sexually assaulted may feel many different emotions and even confusion over the situation. Often, survivors may blame themselves and feel guilt or shame. The fact that sexual violence against men is less common and less talked about can make it very hard for men to talk about. Support them however they would like to face the situation, whether that's seeking support or reporting the incident to the police. Survivors are the experts of their own experience.

The chance of a woman being sexually assaulted during college is about the same as her chance of
CATCHING THE FLUCATCHING THE FLU
during an average year

Bystanders can help prevent or stop sexual violence on campus and in other communities. Connect with the OCTEVAW RISE app for resources, programs, and people that teach bystanders how they can intervene in situations. Get involved in campaigns, campus conversations, use social media, or just get talking to bring more awareness to this issue.

People are
LESS LIKELY TO ACTLESS LIKELY TO ACT
if there are other people around because they feel that someone else is in a better position to say or do something.

Be aware of the pressures everyone faces to not rise up against sexual violence. Take action in ways you are comfortable with. Never put yourself in a situation where you could be in danger or face violence. Avoid using violence and make sure to take the lead from the person who is experiencing the harassment. Be honest and direct. If necessary, recruit support from others. Never approach a group you don't know alone. Make sure there are witnesses around. Keeping it simple, such as as asking for the time/directions, can interrupt the situation. Use the moment as an opportunity to ask the person if they are doing okay or if they need anything. Just make sure you are not putting anyone at risk, including yourself!

It is not always obvious when sexual violence is happening. Sexual violence can happen in many forms and on a spectrum.

OCTEVAW encourages you to take notice of situations around you. Notice the weird? Do you have a role?